In the Nippon Professional Baseball league (NPB), pitchers typically get six days of rest between starts. This is often referred to as a “6-man rotation” because a team typically has six starting pitchers who pitch once a week. Some teams in the NPB may also have one day off per week, further increasing the rest time between starts.
Last night, Yoshi Yamamoto pitched on five days ‘ rest. He gave up five runs… including a grand slam in the fourth inning. One can look at his game logs and realize that he pitches better on six days, not five. Roki Sasaki is also used to a six-man rotation, and soon, Shohei Ohtani may join them. Personally, and this is all based upon my observations, not sports science, I think the Dodgers should stay with a six-man rotation. Right now, they have Yamamoto, Sasaki, May, Gonsolin, and Knack as starters. That’s five! Add in Wrobleski, Miller, or maybe Frasso, and soon, Sheehan, and it’s not hard to figure out that they can do it.
I think it is likely Kershaw returns around the 18th of this month and that Snell and Glasnow return in early June. Then Ohtani will return at some point, and that solves all the problems, but until then, keep the pitchers on a six-day rotation. That is respectfully MY OPINION – Just do it!
Dodger Rants & Raves
- Miguel Rojas has just 52 ABs this year. He is already acting like an additional coach in the dugout. Maybe he would be interested in retiring and accepting a key position as a roving coordinator so that Kim could take his place. How about the Dodgers try the same deal with Austin Barnes and bring up Rushing? Huh… Make him the Big Kahuna of Training Catchers!
- Kim took the collar and also struck out three times.
- Conforto is showing signs of coming out of his funk, but the Baseball Gods make you earn it.
- Jack Dreyer has been a revelation!
- How good would it look to have Smith and Rushing sharing time behind the plate?
- Mike Sirota was 3-5 with RC last night. He is currently hitting .348 with a 1.066 OPS, He is old for low-A and needs to move to GL with a quickness!
- Elijah Hainline is also hot, hitting .322, albeit with less slugging.
- Emil Morales (SS), Jake Gelof, Chase Harlan, and Payton Martin are all playing in the Arizona Complex League… some repeating it!
- DePaula and Hope are still hitting in the .280’s at GL.
- Jared Karros continues to struggle at AA (7.82 ERA).
- Dalton Rushing has nothing to prove at AAA (.323 BA/.963 OPS)
- Nick Sensel moved to AAA.
- Michael Kopech failed to record an out last night, but walked five and gave up 5 ER without giving up a hit!
Discussion (17)
Disagree, not disagreeable
It looks like on the surface,the two Japanese pitchers are going to need 6 days off between starts as proven by both their recent performances. Hopefully both will adjust to 5 days when the real 6 man rotation goes in effect including Ohtoni.
Marte enjoyed his first HR a lil too much for my taste.
“He who laughs last laughs longest”
Wow, this really shocked me, the Dodgers are losing again after a good lead!
I see that I was very wrong in believing that this game was already lost from the beginning, right?
But there is still a lot of game left, this game can still be won, right?
I hope they win this game to forget and not give importance to the poor pitching and game in general, and so everything will be perfect!
Just like yesterday, the game ended early!
Rushing pulled from tonight’s game at OKC after being hit on the wrist by a Frasso wild pitch. Kersh and Kopech will pitch on Sunday. Phillips will not pick up a baseball for at least two weeks after his MRI showed elbow inflammation.
Miller is not ready for prime time. He walks way too many hitters. I would not even consider him as one of the top 10 starters in the Dodger system, I would put Frasso in front of him. Matt Sauer looks like a legitimate long man; he is perfect for a bullpen game to eat innings. Knack looked pretty good his last time out, but I am not sure the Marlins are a real test.
9:40 PM ET
Dodgers (25-13)
Diamondbacks (20-18)
SP Roki Sasaki R
1-1 3.86 ERA
SP E. Rodriguez L
1-3 5.92 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
C Will Smith R
1B F. Freeman L
RF Andy Pages R
3B E. Hernandez R
2B Miguel Rojas R
CF James Outman L
LF Chris Taylor R
In a Domed Stadium
Down the road with healthy bodies returning like Kershaw,Sheehan,Snell ,Glasnow ,the Dodgers will be able to maintain a quality 6 man rotation which includes Ohtoni as the sixth starter which will not affect the bullpen of 8 relievers because of the MLB Ohtoni rule counted as a position player and pitcher. When it takes full effect is when Ohtoni returns to the mound, probably sometime in June or after the All Star break.
i’m fine with six man rotation. we have enough arms to get it done. Especially if it means our pitchers will benefit.
Whats up with Joe Davis?
He is doing less and less games and they pulled his bobblehead night. Its not on the promotions and giveaway page anymore…what gives?
Gonsolin will start Sunday against the Diamondbacks, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
“Gonsolin was slated to start Tuesday against the Athletics, but the Dodgers will bypass a bullpen game Sunday and instead start him on regular rest. Gonsolin has been sharp in two starts this season, maintaining a 17:2 K:BB across 11 frames of work”.
The truth is that stadium has always been difficult for visiting pitchers; even Kershaw has struggled there.
I believe that while it’s early in the season the Dodgers should absolutely keep Yamamoto and especially Sasaki on a routine that are use too. Perhaps after the all star break slip in a five day rest to get them ready so they could possibly pitch twice in a five game playoff. I’m not sure I’d even do that with Sasaki. We need them healthy in October.
Before I’d make coaches out of Barnes and Rojas, I believe when Edman comes back someone from the bench gets a slight hamstring pull. Kim had a tough night last night which is expected from all players especially young ones. What is important is how he bounces back and make sure that he doesn’t have a long memory. I agree that the Dodgers need to find a place for Rushing and probably Ward.
Thursday’s scores
Oklahoma City 6, Albuquerque 5
Amarillo 6, Tulsa 5, game 1
Amarillo 5, Tulsa 4, game 2
Dayton 3, Great Lakes 2
Rancho Cucamonga 13, Visalia 0
ACL Reds 3, ACL Dodgers 2
Highly regarded RC 19-year-old outfielder Eduardo Quintero had a big game with two home runs and a single, and is now hitting .295, .966. Mike Sirota also had three hits and his 1.066 OPS leads the California League, while his .348 batting average is second.
Friday schedule
Albuquerque (Carson Palmquist) at Oklahoma City (Nick Frasso), 5:05 PM PST
Tulsa (Jacob Meador) at Amarillo (Jose Cabrera), 5:05 PM PST
Great Lakes (Brooks Auger) at Dayton (Brian Edgington), 4:05 PM PST
Rancho Cucamonga (Hyun-Seok Jang) at Visalia (Lorenzo Encarnacion), 6:30PM PST
For more detailed recaps,stats,schedules, standings and box scores for Dodger minor league teams go to the top of this page and cIick on MINOR LEAGUE AFFLIATES.
Kim looked lost at the plate last night. I love his speed, but we’ll have to wait and see if the bat plays. Read an article yesterday, talking about rushing. They say that the Dodgers are being unfair to Dalton. Now I’m not sure that’s the whole truth, but sooner or later hopefully sooner they got to give the kid a shot. I’m not sure Barnes is willing to step away right now, but that bad of rushing deserves a shot. Conforto hit the ball hard last night with nothing to show for it I still believe he’ll break out of it, but when Teo comes back if he still hitting a buck 39, the Dodgers could have a major decision on their hands. Max? two hits last night, but he could also strike out three times tonight. After the first inning last night, Yamamoto struggled. It happens, as you say mark let’s move on. Nothing to see there. Tonight‘s a big test for Sasaki. …. Could Phillips season be over? I sure hope not. He’s very valuable in that bullpen…… excited to see Clayton back in the rotation or however, they plan on using him…… I said before the season started Freddy was my sleeper pic for MVP this season. I’m looking like a genius right now,, I’m actually learning how to open doors! It’s a long season, and I’m sure there’s at least five other guys in the NL who will be strong contenders for MVP…. I have to admit Stephen Nelson has improved calling games. Just keep him and Jolly Jess separated!…. hopefully Dodgers can take at least two out of three rest of the series. And happy Mother’s Day to all the moms all over the world this Sunday! My wife is a wonderful mother and my two sons love her dearly. Miss my mom every day as I’m sure a lot of you guys do. Mom’s do all the behind-the-scenes work and receive not nearly enough credit. Enjoy the weekend!
I’m warming up to your 6 man rotation. Just not in the classical sense. Last Oct. they had 3 starters and a 6 man rotation. Right now they have 4 starters and a 6 man rotation. They move the chess pieces around for the 5th and 6th spots in said rotation. In a perfect world the Dodgers will have 5 stud starters and keep the 6th spot flexible. Andrew is a chess player and loves options. I get it now. You don’t have to have 6 permanent starters on the roster to have a 6 man rotation. Bingo. And that right there is my humble opinion.
Book em
Take a minute to think about it. The Dodgers are in first place with Freddie missing games because of slipping in the shower and recovering from off season surgery,Mookie missing games with a stomach bug, Edman out with an ankle injury on the IL,Teo now on the ILfor one to two weeks with a grade 1 abductor strain,Trienen,Pillips on the IL,Snell and Glasnow unable to pitch right now with shoulder issues, Muncy and Conforto stinking up the joint with their batting averages and lack of homerun power,a weak four man bench offensively and bullpen usuage that is NOT sustainable. Probably have forgotten other issues but we have overcome all these situations with help on the way. It may get bumpy for awile,but NO team can sustain what the Dodgers have gone through.